About the reserve

Valley views

Set on a Chiltern hillside with views over the Hughenden Valley, Millfield Wood's beeches are surrounded by an amazing assortment of trees - whitebeam, wayfaring-tree, field maple, yew and wild cherry.

A rich history

The site, once owned by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield, in the late 19th century, is documented on a map from 1766. The variety of plants, however, suggests that the woodland is much older than this. The floor of a beech wood is normally rather bare in spring, but unusually Millfield Wood has a number of beautiful wild flowers, many of them typical of ancient woodland.

Beauty after the storm

Storm damage has opened up the wood, letting in light and breathing new life into it. Bluebells flourish in spring alongside sweet-smelling woodruff. The woodland carpet includes dog's mercury, sanicle, wood anemone, yellow archangel and wood spurge. The native lily-of-the-valley grows here, although it can be hard to find, as well as the local speciality coralfoot, with its pretty four-petalled pink flowers. Look out for the small goldilocks buttercup, a woodland flower featuring missing or uneven petals. Listen out for the drumming of the great spotted woodpecker and the distinctive call of the chiffchaff.

Things to do

Follow the wildlife walk around the reserve (0.5 miles)